Betta (Betta splendens)

Scientific Name(s): Betta splendens
Common Name(s): Crown tail, Halfmoon, Plakat, Halfmoon Plakat, Delta, Super Delta, and Veiltail
Origin: Cambodia, Thailand
Family: Belontiidae
Order:
Species Type: labyrinth fish
Maximum Size: 3 inches
Life Span: 2-3 years
Natural Habitat: Thailand
Diet: Prefers lives food (brine shrimp, bloodworms) but will eat flake food and pellets
Temperature: 75-86 F
PH: 6.0-8.0
Minimum Tank Size: prefers 10 gallon but can go in a 1 gallon fish bowl
Tank Region: Usually at top because they breathe air
Temperament: 2 males cannot be kept together as they will fight to the death. They can with most other semi-aggressive fish as long as the other fish do not have long flowing fins. Females can be kept together but only in groups of 5+ 2-3 and they will also usually fight
Possible Tank Mates: Swordtails, red tail sharks, cory cats and angels

Filtration and Setup: If the betta is by itself then it should be in a 10 gallon tank with a sponge filter not a carbon filter. The carbon filter's outtake will make it very hard for the betta to swim comfortably. If it is in a community tank it should be at least a 20 gallon and can have the carbon filter because there will be more room to swim. There should also be some plants live or fake. Coloration: Bettas come in any color. They can be marble, they can be butterfly pattern (start in a solid color then fade to white), dragon pattern (body scales are white) and many other solid colors
Coloration: Blue, red, green and some in between.
Breeding: Breeding betas is very hard and can cost a lot or a little. First you need a male and a confirmed female a female always has short fins but there are males that are short finned (plakats) the sure way to tell is egg spots on near the front abdomen. When you have 1 male and 1 female you place the female near the tank that the male is in so he will see her and start building a bubble nest. Once a nice big bubble nest is built you can introduce the female. Now you need to watch them very closely if the male is beating on the female too much or vice versa take the female out. And try again if you get all the way to the breeding stage you will see the male wrapping the female and squeezing out eggs from her then he will retrieve the eggs and put them in the bubble nest. The female will look dead until they are ready to wrap again. Once they are done wrapping you will need to take the female out without disturbing the bubble nest. Then leave the male alone with the eggs until about 2 days after they hatch and are free swimming. Then you can feed the babies baby brine shrimp which is better for them or vinegar eels. This is the long and hard process of breeding betta splendensbr/> Comments: The genetics of Betta splendens are mong the best known and most studied of any domesticated animal.